Spectacle bows that flex to overlie the frame



June 23,1970 J. c, BANF. ETAL 3,516,737

SPECTACLE BOWS THAT FLEX TO OVERLIE THE FRAME Filed July 26, 1966 FIGI Fl (5 4 fivravrazs s y-m W United States Patent Wee 3,516,737 SPECTACLE BOWS THAT FLEX T0 OVERLIE THE FRAME Jacques Claude Banfi, 36 Avenue Cesar Franck, 95

Sarcelles, France, and Christian Chauvin, Place de la Mairie, 16 La Couronne, France Filed July 26, 1966, Ser. No. 580,142 Int. Cl. G02c /16 US. Cl. 351-114 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The bows of spectacle frames are made to have an overcenter snap action between convex and concave configurations. Thus they can be snapped-out convex for normal use and snapped-in concave when folded against the spectacle frames so as to be more compact.

The present invention relates to sun glasses and spectacles and more particularly to spectacle bows. It is a matter of fact that, when not used the sun glasses or spectacles are cumbersome. In the folded position the bending of the sides and the bending of the lens frame being opposed there are some devices tending to reduce the overall thickness (plurality of hinges, resilient sides etc.) but they are not used on a large scale.

It has been found that this overall thickness can be reduced by a means in a suitable and convenient form which enables the bows when folded to fit exactly with the frame bending.

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 represents an example of a pair of spectacles showing: one bow in open position, one bow in folded position (ordinary form), one bow in folded position (according to the invention).

FIGS. 2 and 3 are respectively a front view and a plan view of a means in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing a modified form of how.

Referring to the example shown in the drawings the middle area ab is divided into three (or a plurality of) sections, the length of the central section being different of the length of the exterior ones.

There are two cases:

1) The most general case wherein the central section(s) is (or are) less long than the exterior sections, the latter forming the structure of the how.

(2) The case wherein the central section(s) is (or are) longer than the exterior section, said central section(s) forming then the structure of the bow, its strength being greater.

In both cases, the material employed may be:

Steel, whether for thin bows of the music wire type partially welded (FIG. 4) or for wider bows (FIGS. 2. and 3) of the strip steel type in which the central section(s) may be separated by sawing, milling or stamping giving the needed lengthening (or shortening) for an adequate operation.

3,516,737 Patented June 23, 1970 Brass or any material or alloy having a convenient modulus of elasticity chiefly for molded, injected or machined plastic materials.

Plastic materials may also be cast.

When the bows are very large, they may be made of steel or brass strip stamped and brought down in the central section.

In any cases, the sides according to the present invention, may be (in totality or partially) nickel plated, chromium plated, gold plated, silver plated, plastic coated, rubber coated, or coated with any suitable material.

Thus, the present invention provides a frame 1 for spectacles, having a pair of bows 3- pivotally mounted thereon at 5 so that each bow may be swung out to a use position and may be swung in to a folded position in which the bows overlies the spectacle frame, each bow being flexible and having two flexed equilibrium positions in one of which the bow is convex for use and in the other of which the bow is concave to be folded more compactly against the spectacle frame. Each bow is movable between said two equilibrium positions with a over center snap action. Tension spring means comprising an integral undulating section 7 of each bow 3 tends to maintain the bows in one or the other of those two equilibrium positions. As seen in the drawing, each spring means is a section of the bow bent to zigzag configuration and functioning as a tension spring.

What is claimed is:

1. A frame for spectacles having a pair of bows pivotally mounted thereon so that each bow may be swung out to a use position and may be swung in to a folded position in which the bows overlies the spectacle frame, each bow having forward, middle and rearward areas, the middle area being divided into a plurality of longitudinal sections, each bow being flexible and having two flexed equilibrium positions in one of which the bow is convex for use and in the other of which the bow is concave to be folded more compactly against the spectacle frame, and tension spring means acting between the forward and rearward areas of each bow tending to maintain said bows in one or the other of said two equilibrium positions.

2. A frame for spectacles as claimed in claim 1, said spring means comprising an integral undulating section of the bow.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,155,982 11/1964 Baratelli 351-113 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,453,932 8/1966 France.

626,533 7/ 1949 Great Britain. 859,931 1/1961 Great Britain.

DAVID SCHONBERG, Primary Examiner I. W. LEONARD, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 351l11, 113 

